OK - now that we have been made aware of the situation in Arkansas - with the people who are hoarding the animals, what is anyone going to do about this? If they (the animals) are indeed private property - what is the process for taking care of the animals in this type of situation. Obviously - a misdemeanor for animal cruelty is NOTHING but a slap on the wrist. And aren't the animals more important than the letter of the law? This is absolutely disgusting. During the two consequtive hurrincane events, I chose to assist in animals recovery, and put my energies there. I never imagined this is how they would end up - I would like to know what happens to these animals - are they going to be rescued again? Are they going to get the happy ride on an airplane to find homes. How can this be allowed to continue. We all did our parts, on every level we could to assist with human aid, and animal aid -who is going to do their part and ensure this NOT where this story ends. Not ONE more life should be lost from this horrific event - not four legged, winged nor two. If this is indeed a mental illness - as the story states, then the keepers should be found mentally incompetent and the animals removed from this facility. I would beg the State of Arkansas to make a clear statement and immediate action to end this situation. It can and should be done.

OMG!!! I am so heartbroken! During the whole aftermath of Katrina, I saw the news reports with the pictures of the left behind pets. My stomach sunk every time. I have two loveable doggies at home and I just cannot bear the thought of anything so horrible happening to them. I cannot believe this situation has occurred. But you are right...this article concentrated on the whole "mental condition" of "hoarding". Okay, whatever....I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH THESE PETS???? CAN YOU TELL ME THAT? Your title says these pets are suffering, WELL THEN, get them the hell out of there! Take them to a shelter where they can get the proper care they need and deserve! I am too far away to help but I was able to donate money to some worthy causes to alleviate some of this mess....HELP THE ANIMALS PEOPLE!!!!

The situation in Arkansas was finally brought to light in October. Turning the animals in to shelters is fine if the shelters are no-kill shelters. The problem that arose in Louisiana (one of the largest breeders of pit bulls) was that animal rescuers were finding so many abandoned (and dead) pit bulls These dogs were not pets they were used for breeding and pit bull fighting. Also 80% of the animals rescued after the hurricanes were heartworm positive. Many died from the infestation Then there was the problem of trying to integrate pit bulls that were bred and trained to fight into the general animal population and trying to find homes for these poor animals. Many were euthanized Also dogs were found pregnant or just after just giving birth. A large percentage of the animals were never Neutered or Spayed and had never received veterinary care from there so called owners. They were basically owned and bred for the money they could bring in. I am thankful for all the donations and the tireless work and dedication of the all the rescue organizations and rescuers but have little sympathy for people who did nothing but collect welfare and breed dogs that brought about this horrific situation.

I too am thankful for all the donations and tireless work and dedication from all the rescue organizations and volunteers. From those of us who wanted to help out on the front lines and could not. I own two American Staffordshire Terriers (pit bull cousin) so I am aware of their notorius backgrounds and what a lot of people use them for. I am horrified by these people who choose to breed these dogs and use them as fighting dogs. These are the people that give them a bad name and inspire dog bans in cities like Denver, where they are coming into our homes and taking our beloved pets and killing them. These are living creatures and they deserve our respect. It really really saddens me to the core that the majority of the animals in the Gulf region were not cared for prior to this tragedy. Otherwise, many of them could have endured the horrific circumstances to which they succumbed. They deserved the opportunity to survive, if you can't afford all the necessities that go with animal ownership such as food, love, and vetrinary care (THE BASICS)....DON'T GET AN ANIMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, that's my gripe for the day. Thanks for reading! Tina B.

It really really saddens me to the core that the majority of the animals in the Gulf region were not cared for prior to this tragedy. Otherwise, many of them could have endured the horrific circumstances to which they succumbed. ---------------------------------------------------------- Tina, what makes you think that the majority (big word) of the animals in the Gulf region weren't cared for prior to the hurricane? That's a pretty hefty accusation - please reconsider it. Katrina was a catastrophic storm that left many people and their pets homeless. To make matters worse, rescuers would only take humans - not pets. This doesn't mean those people didn't care for their pets prior to the storm. Furthermore, no amount of good care prior to the storm would have prepared the animals to endure the horrific conditions they were subject to afterwards. I agree with you wholeheartedly that people who can't or won't take care of their pets shouldn't have them. I have pets who are loved members of my family. I recently evacuated from Hurricane Wilma - my pets evacuated with me. But the victims of Hurricane Katrina were faced with extraordinary circumstances, and I don't think either you or I are in a position to judge someone who was in that situation.

abbyr311, maybe I have been misinformed by the media or the people on numerous message boards. But the fact is, based on these reports, (let me rephrase...) a LARGE number of these animals were malnourished prior to Katrina. This does not include the large percentage of the population who are responsible pet owners who had to unfortunately leave their cherished pets behind. I am not faulting these pet owners. But you can't tell me that the majority of these pit bulls and other various animals they are speaking about were well-taken care of prior to Katrina. All I am saying is they had a better chance at surviving had they been cared for. I am not saying that was a guarantee. Honestly, we all know the fate of the pit bull when it's exposed to certain geographical areas and stereotypical owners. The New Orleans area is one of the largest breeding areas for this type of dog. They are owned to fight. They are not pets, they are not taken care of, they are not loved....therefore, they are classified as mean...and, they ARE mean. This is exactly where they get a bad rap. By all means, I am not referring to the responsible pet owners who heartbreakingly had to leave their cherished pets behind, their fate was sealed. However, many miracles have happened....to that I am thankful. And again, thank you to the rescue workers and volunteers who sacrificed a lot to give these animals the opportunity for life. THANK YOU!!!!

Thanks for explaining, Tina. And thanks for explaining about the pit bull. I know people who own pit bulls, and say they are very loving dogs. Frankly, I'm a little wary of them. One came after my son once, and it was a scary experience. Animals, like children, need to be loved and cared for. What a horrible shame it is that people breed animals for barbaric sports. In this day and age it should be illegal. My heart breaks for the families that were forced to leave their pets behind. I honestly don't know how I would handle that kind of situation, and I don't know how I would ever explain it to my children. Does anyone on this board know what happened to Snowball, who was taken from the arms of a little boy who was evacuated from the Superdome?

Thank you for letting me speak my mind and explain. I know a lot of people are wary of the pit bull. But again, I stress that the reason most are wary is primarily because of the irresponsible owners....they are the ones who give them a bad name. I am a responsible pet owner who has two American Staffordshire Terriers which are pit bull cousins. I have never owned a dog in my adult life but here I am with two. I would not trade my doggies for anything in the world. They are big muscular sissies because I have trained them to be loving thoughtful and playful animals. They are great around the younger children and they are nothing short of love bugs. Of course I am aware of their heritage so I am always careful because you never know. But my husband and I pride ourselves and have faith in our training of them. Any breed of dog can snap at any moment. Both dogs get the basic needs in life and then some. Shoot, one of them had two knee surgeries this year! All I am saying is that we all need to be informed before we develop and opinion about anything in the world. Thanks for reading. Ebony and Blue are my babies...

Call a local shelter and offer the money. We are all overwhelmed with Rita and Katrina critters...why don't you offer to foster. Why don't you drive a transport. The shelters are non profit and when they take on animals it may be for the rest of their lives. There is not enough room, space or money, until local people get over having one dog and take three and a couple of cats, and even then more will be euthanized. Hoarders made the first shot to keep them from dying, the no kill shelters are jammed pack, trust me...and our local pets are dying at the pound because imported katrina pets are filling up the vacant spot. If you are horrified, please give not only money, but open your home, and give ten hours a week to a shelter...each and every one of you who is horrified. Then there will be relief. I give 35 hours a week, I foster, I run transport, I hold the paws of dying senior pets at the shelter...before you scream in caps, tell me, what have you done and what will you continue to do...

Thank you...I have donated hundreds of dollars to shelters over the past couple of years to help with all and any disasters. I stress that I thank the volunteers and rescue works who have worked tirelessly. I sincerely appreciate their selflessness. I want to help all of our neglected pets year round so I donate money because I am unable to donate my time. I too would love to donate 35 hours a week to help but unfortunately I have little people depending on me to work 55 hours a week to put food on my table (and in the pet bowls). I know that money doesn't solve everything but it sure does help a lot. I also stress that it is important to not make one donation but many on a regular basis. Don't forget the pets people. Of course, we should also continue to donate to the Red Cross as well. All charities are important....year round. Donate blood if you can too! I will scream IN ALL CAPS because it angers me when people consider themselves pet owners but yet can't provide the basic necessities for their pet....THESE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT OWN AN ANIMAL PERIOD!!!! It is important to love, feed, and give your pet the basic vetrinary care that it needs to thrive and survive. I like to believe that the majority of the Katrina pets would have had a fighting chance if they were properly cared for PRIOR to this tragedy. I'm sure you would agree but also know that's not realistic....too bad our pets become a statistic.

After such dedicated efforts were made to save these animals from disaster areas, to see them end up in some disgusting hell-hole is unforgiveable. The people holding innocent animals hostage in these cesspools need to be prosecuted - period end. "Hoarders syndrome" is another "Twinkie defense"...nothing more than another justification for depraved cruelty. If these people are so sick, then their rights to animal ownership needs to be taken away...forever. Arkansas is not the only state whose laws hold no regard for animal life. Over and over across the country abusers like these walk away without even a slap on the wrist only to abuse again. The lawmakers need to step up to the plate to protect those whose very lives are dependent on the humanity of man and stand firm against those who would betray such a trust. Please know that people with a low regard for animal life generally show no higher regard for human life. As to the matter at hand, how are these animals going to be helped? Can they be adopted out? Or are the local authorities going to have their day in court only to turn around and deliver all those innocent lives back into the hands of these pigs?

Why can't the word get our as to WHERE people can go to to find these animals in need. I couldn't find any link.

Here's why: While the response to help these animals would be overwhelming nationwide, the sad truth is that it's probably too late. Over 400 animals living in those conditions...I know it's sad to think about, but the liability is too great. Disease, aggression, etc., the only option for the majority would be to put them out of their misery. This story made the news, but unfortunately, stuff like this happens everyday. If you want to help, look around your local area...I'm sure you'll find something like this going on-though maybe not on such a large scale.

Go to: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/fate_of_hundreds_arkansas_cruetly_case.html to find the latest and info on how to help! We simply must help these animals; they've been victimized twice - unacceptable!

Devastating! One of the organizations supporting The Humane Society of the United States in Arkansas - now named Project BArkansas - is United Animal Nations EARS team (Emergency Animal Rescue Service). There is a place online where you can support their efforts and donate on the bottom of this page: http://www.uan.org/ears/action_report.html. The animals need your support.

Thank you dog_buddy and animal_friend for the links.

I live in Indiana and my friend and I just returned from volunteering for E.A.R.S. at EDNAH in Arkansas. The progress that these animals have made since their discovery is remarkable. They are returning to good health and good manners. Their smiling faces and wagging tails break your heart because they still crave love and affection from the species that inflicted this horror on them. They are all identified and microchipped and will be entered at petfinder.com and petharbor.com. A hearing will be held Nov. 17th in Mountain Home to determine if the HSUS will be able to take custody of the animals and remove them from the premises until the outcome of the trial. A favorable ruling will mean that these dogs can be moved to real shelters for the winter. If convicted, it's likely that most of these animals will be up for adoption. That gives us humans an opportunity to make amends for the horrors that have endured. For more information on how you can help, visit http://www.uan.org/ears/action_report.html